Why choose hospitality?
Jon Reed, operations director of people and performance specialist Purple Cubed “It’s one of the few industries where you can join straight from school and, if
you have the right attitude and ethics, you can progress to a leadership position in a relatively short timescale. This industry is entrepreneurial and inspiring. If you’re driven and talented, there’s no limit to your prospects. “As the sector is about people, hospitality employers
invest a considerable amount in the engagement and development of their most valuable asset. More so than any other industry, performance tools such as Talent Toolbox are in place to help an individual drive their own career progression. And regular learning opportunities are commonplace. Take Dorchester Collection, for example – a hotel company that provides all of its employees with 156 hours of learning a year.”
Who can help?
Here are a few bodies with useful resources and information for newcomers to the industry
believeinyoungpeople.com Works with young people to connect them to quality placements
www.careerscope.uk.net A specialist careers service from Springboard for hospitality, offering advice and industry contacts
www.connexions-direct.com Connexions Direct provides guidance, primarily for 13 to 19-year-olds
www.hospitalityguild.co.uk An alliance of employers, skills bodies, individuals and training providers dedicated to promoting the professionalism of the hospitality industry
www.instituteofhospitality.org The professional body for managers and potential managers in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries
www.keepinpace.org The Professional Association for Catering Education
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The size of the opportunity
How big is the UK hospitality and tourism industry? Pretty big! It accounts for more than two million UK jobs – around 1 in 14 workers – and the number of people working in hospitality and tourism is still increasing.
What sort of careers are in the sector? People associate it with careers in restaurants, bars and hotels, but there are also opportunities in events, visitor attractions, casinos and much more.
What sort of qualifications and skills are needed? Whether or not you need a qualification will depend on your role, but many people can start work in hospitality with little or no experience and progress to management roles through on-the-job training. As good customer service is the key to excellent hospitality, it’s probably the most essential skill for a career in the industry.
What is the recruitment market like? The sector advertises vacancies in large numbers and they are most commonly found in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs. Many employers are seeking entry- level workers who are willing to work part-time, but this shouldn’t put you off, as you will have opportunities to progress through training, so a part-time job as a bartender could lead to a full-time bar manager position.
Why is it a good sector to work in? It offers a sociable and dynamic working life. If you don’t fancy a traditional 9 to 5 office job, a career in hospitality can give you that variety you need, with flexible working hours and interaction with the public.
What is the future like for the sector? One of the main challenges that employees and workers face is the growing expectation for outstanding customer handling skills. As competition between businesses increases and more customers communicate about their experiences on social media, it’s very important for businesses to meet this need. This means employers are seeking candidates that can deliver this skill.
Sound out the Big Hospitality Conversation Industry leaders are attending Big Hospitality Conversation events around the country to find out what young people need in a job. Find out more at
www.bigconversationhospitality.co.uk
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